STRATHFIELDSAYE is the only undefeated team in the BFNL after three rounds after it handed Golden Square a 47-point thumping at MyJet Oval on Saturday.
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The highly-anticipated clash between the power clubs failed to reach any great heights with the Storm putting the Bulldogs to the sword after half-time.
Only five goals were kicked in total in the first half before the Storm added 10 goals to four after half-time to win 13.13 (91) to 6.8 (44).
Despite having key personnel missing in the first three weeks of the season, the Storm have defeated 2014 finalists Sandhurst, Eaglehawk and Golden Square in impressive fashion.
“Credit to Golden Square, they were fired up to have a crack at us and they threw everything at us,’’ Storm coach Darryl Wilson said.
“They put us under a lot of pressure in the first half and it didn’t make for a great game to watch.
“We changed our structure at half-time and put some more speed into our forward line and that created a few more chances for us.
“Our crumbing forwards were damaging and we didn’t turn the ball over as much.”
While the margin was just 23 points at the final change, Square small forward Shaun Young was yellow carded late in the third quarter after being reported for striking and the home side was forced to play the first 15 minutes of the final term with just 17 men.
The Storm took full advantage, adding six goals to two to record their third-straight win over the Bulldogs.
"I was really happy with the boys effort up until half-time,'' Golden Square coach Nick Carter said.
"All the key indicators we look at were really even and we were right in the game.
"Strath increased their pressure in the third quarter and made us pay for poor decisions we made. They weren't big mistakes, just small ones, but when you make a mistake against Strath they kick goals.
"We give ourselves a tick for the first half, but we just couldn't stay in the game in the second half. We were second to the ball and that's something we have to address."
Storm teenager Harry Conway was superb across half-back. The youngster has strung together three very good games and must be a chance to force his way into the BFNL inter-league squad.
One player who is a certainty to make the inter-league squad is Matt Smith. The Storm midfielder followed up is best on ground performance last week with another eye-catching effort.
Kallen Geary played his best game of the season so far for the Storm, while Essendon VFL-listed midfielder Sam Heavyside did some heavy grunt work.
Square’s best players were in their back six, which said a lot for how the game unfolded in the second half.
Jon Coe was solid across half-back, Dale Young did a great job on Storm forward Matthew Ferguson, while Clayton Anderson and Brayden Dorrington gave the Bulldogs plenty of drive.
The Bulldogs were also hampered by a long list of injuries, with Corey Jones, Travis Baird, Matt Compston, Phil Ryan and Hamish Morcom all sidelined.
Golden Square will be desperate to bouce back next Saturday when it travels to Gardiner Reserve to play Gisborne, while Strathfieldsaye hosts surprise packet Castlemaine.
The Storm expect new ruckman Chris Kelf to be cleared in time to make his debut with the club against Castlemaine.
